Australia.com does not support the internet browser you are using. Please upgrade to a more recent browser so that you can explore the destinations and experiences that await you as you plan your Australian holiday.

Welcome to the official Australian tourism website.This site uses cookies.Find out more.

5 different sports you can play almost anywhere in Oz

5 different sports you can play anywhere in Oz

Whether you’re on a beach, in the hinterland or deep in the outback, here are 5 sports to keep you active in Australia.

Sometimes, it can be hard to squeeze in exercise while you’re travelling, because the thought of interrupting your face-stuffing program is horrific. That’s one of the great things about Australia: exercise just finds you without you even realising. Swimming in the gorgeous gorges, surfing the swell, walking through the plump green countryside - getting back to basics in the great outdoors.

You don’t need a b-ball court, a swimming pool or a Fitbit to do it, just a few boards and balls at the very most...

Here are 5 sporty ways to occupy yourself in the middle of nowhere:

Touch footy

Everyone likes to be touched. This is a no-tackle football affair where opposing sides run the ball like you would in rugby. The more the merrier, for this game. If you’re just into following the sport, join this Facebook group. If you’re more into playing it and chatting about it, find the local group in the city you’re in - for instance, this group is for touch dudes and dudettes based in New South Wales.

Step up to bat: beach cricket

All you need is a bat and ball to play this time-honoured game that we might’ve ripped off from the Poms. Oh, and you need friends too. This is a team affair.

Obviously this couldn’t happen in a place like crowded Bondi, but Australia is full of almost-deserted beaches that are just waiting to be transformed into a sweet pitch. But PLEASE, let it be known, this is not strictly a beach sport. The great thing about Oz is that you can play this game pretty much anywhere: the red-earthed desert in Uluru, Northern Territory, the crunchy white plains of the salt lakes in Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, the plump green paddocks in Tasmania. You name it.

If you’re looking for team members, tips or even just general cricket banter, sign up to a Facebook group like this one or this one.

Slacklining

All you need to play this game is two trees to tie your slackline to. While some (read: most) would argue just how much of a sport this really is, tell them to get up on that tightrope and give it a crack. This bad boy requires balance, core strength and a sense of humour (because, let’s face it, you won’t be very good at first). HOT TIP: if it’s your first slackline rodeo, you might want to measure that the line is still below standing crotch line for some of the blokes, in case any one-leg-on-either-side falls happen… Join this Facebook group to stay connected to other fellow slackliners.

Surf. Obviously.

Australia is – literally – surrounded by beach breaks that are just screaming out to be surfed. But that’s not the only place you can find yourself in the greenroom. If you keep your eye on conditions and local surf reports, you can go surfing in the bay of Nielsen Park National Park and find yourself surfing with Sydney Harbour as your personal backdrop.

Namaste

… And get stretchy. Sure, yoga is less about competition and more about relaxation and peace of mind, but there’s nothing better than stretching out all your woes in the airport lounge, on the beach at sunset, in the common room of your new hostel in front of all that #phresh meat. Australia is full of beautiful landscapes, which makes for beautiful yoga spots. Plus, Aussies are obsessed with this particular activity, so it’s the ideal place to make some new mates. There are different yoga-in-the-park initiatives all around this sunburnt country, which, much like group training, are open to everyone: for instance, here’s one in the Northern Territory, here’s one in Milson’s Park and Rushcutter’s Bay in New South Wales. You’re welcome.

Other Ways to get busy in Oz

Here's How to Make it Happen

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. Find out more.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

*Product Disclaimer: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through this website. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

{"PageInfo":{"component":"PageInfo"},"Hero":{"component":"Hero","subTitle":"","title":"5 different sports you can play almost anywhere in Oz","playerId":""}}